Water is critical. For life, our economy, for everything! But providing clean water and properly disposing of wastewater is energetically very expensive. Florida’s flat terrain means an incredible amount of electricity is needed to power the miles of pipes, pumps and boosters. In Naples, the per gallon cost is low, around one-half cent. But the fuel bill for the city’s utility department is over $1 million a year, and 70% of the clean water produced is used for landscaping. For responsible citizens, saving water should be a way of life.
1) Practice Water Wise Behavior
Don’t run the faucet when brushing your teeth, shaving, or shampooing your hair and use the plug for the sink, or a cup of water to rinse your razor. Take short showers. Keep an empty jug by the kitchen sink and fill with the pre-run hot water, or leftover glasses, to use for your plants. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean the driveway.
Don't ditch the dregs! (Photo credit: Gene Flipse)
2) Check For Leaks
If you have an irrigation system, inspect the system to be sure you don’t have blocked or misaligned sprinkler heads. You could be wasting up to 50% of your landscaping water bill with a poorly maintained system. Make sure exterior hoses are turned off and do a quick leak check around the house. Check your water bill; leaks often show up as anomalies in water use. Check your toilet by dropping a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if color shows up in the bowl without flushing, you might have a leak.
3) Cut The Flush
This one’s old-fashioned, but it works and costs pennies. Place a brick or plastic bottle filled with gravel or sand and water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used per flush.
Did You Know?
A single leaky toilet could cost you $2,400 a year.
